He was not to be caught off his guard again. He paid no attention to my words, but continued with more of propitiation in his voice than I had considered possible. "Now, you’re a Man of the World--young as you are--and you have seen something of Business. You have seen the man who has given his best years to making money for the other fellow turned adrift as soon as the other fellow finds somebody who can make more money for him. That’s the Gratitude of Business, young man--the Gratitude of Business. I’ve seen a man who made fifty thousand dollars for his employer in a trade turned out inside of six months because somebody offered to work for twenty-five dollars less a month. That’s what you get when you look out for your Employer’s interests instead of your Own." The depth of sarcasm in Peter Bolton’s drawl was portentous. I did not know whether to be amused or indignant at this attempt to teach me the folly of loyalty and the essential respectability of treachery. So I gave a nod of comprehension, which he took for encouragement, and he continued: "Now, I’m a plain-speaking old fellow, and I won’t talk nonsense to you about Gratitude or Friendship. I won’t say a word about the things I’ll do for you Some day. I’ll just talk Cash in Hand to you, with no back bills to be paid with promises on either side." "Very good," I replied, "but I’d rather you would answer the questions about Big Sam and the Council of Nine." Bolton gave me a cunning look. "I want you to take up some private business for me," he said slowly, "and I’ll give you ten thousand dollars for sixty days’ work." "What work?" I asked sharply, my indignation getting the better of my amusement. "Confidential work," said Bolton deliberately. "I want a representative in Kendrick’s office, and you’re the best man I know for the job." My repressed indignation broke forth at this brazen proffer of a bribe, and I jumped to my feet and shook my fist in Peter Bolton’s face. "You old scoundrel!" I cried. "If you were a younger man, I’d thump the breath out of you!" "You are a bigger Fool than I thought," said Bolton in his most sarcastic voice. And he threw back his head and opened his mouth in silent laughter. "I give you warning," I continued, "that I shall tell Colonel Kendrick of your offer." The unabashed Bolton drew down the corners of his mouth in a sarcastic smile, and his sarcastic voice followed me as I opened the door: "If Kendrick offers you eleven thousand, come back and I’ll see if I can do better." *CHAPTER X* *A COUNCIL OF WAR* "No," said Laura Kendrick, in her piquant voice, "uncle isn’t at home, but he sent word he would be back at nine o’clock. You look very important, but I’m sure it’s something that will wait an hour."